Vehicle radar sensor assemblies

ABSTRACT

Waveguide and/or antenna assemblies for RADAR sensor assemblies/modules, particularly those for vehicles. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide block defining one or more waveguides, each waveguide defined by a waveguide groove. In some embodiments, at least a portion of at least one waveguide groove is non-straight, such as meandering/oscillating back and forth. An antenna structure may be operably coupled with the one or more waveguides, which structure may comprise an array of one or more slots. In some embodiments, a single, elongated slot of the one or more slots may extend along an axis of each waveguide groove for delivering electromagnetic radiation from a corresponding waveguide of the one or more waveguides therethrough.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No.16/789,373 filed on Feb. 12, 2020 and titled “VEHICLE RADAR SENSORASSEMBLIES,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of sensor assemblies, such asRADAR sensor assemblies for vehicles.

In an example of a vehicle sensor assembly according to someembodiments, the assembly may comprise a waveguide block defining aplurality of waveguides, each waveguide being defined, at least in part,by a waveguide groove. One or more of the waveguide grooves may bedefined by one or more rows of posts on each side of the groove definingthe groove therebetween or by a trench-style waveguide groove havingcontinuous sidewalls. An antenna structure may be operably coupled withplurality of waveguides and may comprise an array of one or more slotsextending along an axis of each waveguide groove of the plurality ofwaveguides. Each of the one or more slots may be configured to deliverelectromagnetic radiation from at least one of the plurality ofwaveguides therethrough. One or both of the plurality of waveguidegrooves and the one or more slots may extend along the axis of itsrespective waveguide, in some embodiments at least partially in aperiodic, quasi-periodic, and/or meandering manner along at least aportion of the axis of its respective waveguide. The assembly mayfurther comprise a substrate comprising a plurality of electromagneticfeed structures, wherein each of the plurality of electromagnetic feedstructures is operably coupled to a corresponding waveguide of theplurality of waveguides to deliver electromagnetic waves through theplurality of waveguides.

Some embodiments may further comprise a plurality of periodicstructures, which may be formed in the substrate or anotherlayer/element of the assembly. The plurality of periodic structures maycomprise, for example, an array of electromagnetic band-gap structuresor a zipper-structure configured to confine electromagnetic waves and/orsignals within the waveguide(s). In some embodiments, each of theplurality of periodic structures lacks vias.

In a more particular example of a periodic, signal confinementstructure, each such structure may comprise a first elongated opening.In some such embodiments, each of the plurality of periodic structuresmay further comprise a first series of repeated slots extending at leastsubstantially transverse to the first elongated opening, wherein each ofthe first series of repeated slots is spaced apart from an adjacent slotin the first series of repeated slot along the first elongated opening.

Each of the plurality of periodic structures may, in some embodiments,comprise a first periodic structure positioned on a first side of atleast a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides and a secondperiodic structure positioned on a second side of the first waveguideopposite the second side. Each of the first periodic structure and thesecond periodic structure may comprise a first elongated opening and afirst series of repeated slots extending at least substantiallytransverse to the first elongated opening, wherein each of the firstseries of repeated slots is spaced apart from an adjacent slot in thefirst series of repeated slot along the first elongated opening.

Some embodiments may further comprise a channel intersecting the firstelongated opening of the first periodic structure and the firstelongated opening of the second periodic structure.

Some embodiments may further comprise a dielectric chamber extendingadjacent to each of the plurality of periodic structures. The dielectricchamber(s) may be defined by opposing rows of conductive vias extendingalong opposing sides of each of the plurality of periodic structures or,alternatively, by a continuous border between a conductive region and adielectric region defining the chamber.

One or more of the plurality of waveguide grooves may extend back andforth in a periodic manner, a quasi-periodic manner, or may otherwisemeander back and forth along the axis of its respective waveguide.

One or more of the plurality of waveguides may comprise a single slot,which in some such embodiments may extend at least substantiallystraight along an axis of its respective waveguide groove.Alternatively, a series of spaced slots, which may be aligned orstaggered relative to one another, may be used, from whichelectromagnetic waves may be delivered and/or received.

Some embodiments may further comprise a hub region. One or more (in somecases, each) of the plurality of waveguides may terminate at the hubregion. The hub region may comprise radiofrequency generation elementsfor launching electromagnetic radiation into each of the plurality ofwaveguides.

Some embodiments may further comprise a conductive tape coupled with thesubstrate or another conductive coupling structure coupled with thesubstrate, such as a conductive epoxy or solder.

In another example of a vehicle sensor antenna assembly according toother embodiments, the assembly may comprise a plurality of waveguides,wherein each waveguide of the plurality of waveguides is defined by awaveguide groove. A slot may be positioned to extend along an axis ofeach of the plurality of waveguide grooves. Each of the waveguides mayfurther be defined, at least in part, by a periodic feature that extendsback and forth in a periodic manner along at least a portion of itsrespective waveguide. A plurality of periodic signal confinementstructures may also be provided. A first periodic signal confinementstructure of the plurality of periodic signal confinement structures mayextend adjacent to a first side of each of the plurality of waveguides,and a second periodic signal confinement structure of the plurality ofperiodic signal confinement structures may extend along a second side ofeach of the plurality of waveguides opposite the first side.

Some embodiments may further comprise a dielectric substrate. In someembodiments, each of the plurality of periodic signal confinementstructures may be positioned within the dielectric substrate. In somesuch embodiments, each of the plurality of periodic signal confinementstructures may comprise a zipper-like structure comprising an elongatedslot and a plurality of spaced slots extending transverse to theelongated slot, such as perpendicular to the elongated slot, forexample.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of periodic signalconfinement structures may further comprise a dielectric chamber.Preferably, the elongated slot forms an opening into the dielectricchamber of each of the plurality of periodic signal confinementstructures.

In some embodiments, the dielectric chamber of each of the plurality ofperiodic signal confinement structures may be defined by a first row ofconductive vias extending along a first side of the dielectric chamberand a second row of conductive vias extending along a second side of thedielectric chamber opposite the first side of the dielectric chamber.

The dielectric chamber of each of the plurality of periodic signalconfinement structures may be defined in part (such as on opposing topand bottom portions/layers) by a first conductive layer and a secondconductive layer spaced apart from the first conductive layer.

Some embodiments may comprise a hub region. In some such embodiments,one or more of the waveguide grooves may comprise a straight portionextending along an at least substantially straight elongated axis and acurved portion. In some embodiments, the curved portion may lead intothe hub region. The straight portion may, in some embodiments, extendback and forth in a periodic manner along at least a portion of theelongated axis such that the axis of the straight portion is straightbut the waveguide groove itself extends back and forth from one side ofthe axis to the other.

In some embodiments, each of the at least a subset of the plurality ofwaveguide grooves comprises a single, straight slot. In some suchembodiments, this slot may extend within each waveguide groove along thestraight portion.

Some embodiments may further comprise one or more plates or similarstructures that may be coupled to the waveguide block, which may be usedto redirect EM waves/energy from two slots at a first distance apart insuch a way that the energy/waves exits from two opposing slots that arecloser together or at a second distance apart less than the firstdistance. In other words, the plate structure, which may comprise one ormore slots, may be used to obtain a lateral shift of an adjacent pair ofslots.

The plate(s) may extend over two or more plates and may comprise anelongated slot, which slot may extend in between (and in some casesparallel to) two adjacent slots of the antenna structure. A ridgeextending between the two adjacent slots, combined with the slot of theplate, may be used to create two opposing adjacent slots that may becloser together than the opposing slots not created by the slot of theplate. In some embodiments, the spacing of the closer slots created bythe slot of the plate may be about half wavelength in order to generatethe desired antenna pattern.

In some embodiments, the slot of the plate may be centered, or at leastsubstantially centered, in between the two adjacent antenna slots (whichmay be in a separate plane and/or layer). In some embodiments, the slotof the plate may be misaligned and/or not overlap with any of theadjacent antenna slots. In other embodiments, the slot of the plate mayoverlap, at least in part, with one or both of the adjacent antennaslots.

The features, structures, steps, or characteristics disclosed herein inconnection with one embodiment may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more alternative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the disclosure aredescribed, including various embodiments of the disclosure withreference to the figures, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first side of a RADAR sensor assemblyaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a second side of the RADAR sensorassembly of FIG. 1A from a second side opposite the first side;

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the RADAR sensor assembly of FIGS.1A and 1B;

FIG. 2 depicts the RADAR sensor assembly from a different perspective;

FIG. 3A is a plan view of the RADAR sensor assembly;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a first side of a RADAR sensor assemblyaccording to other embodiments;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a second side of the RADAR sensorassembly of FIG. 4A from a second side opposite the first side;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the RADAR sensor assembly of FIGS.4A and 4B;

FIG. 5 depicts the RADAR sensor assembly of FIGS. 4A and 4B from adifferent perspective;

FIG. 6A is a plan view of the RADAR sensor assembly of FIGS. 4A-5 ;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A depicts a portion of a RADAR sensor assembly comprising azipper-like signal confinement structure;

FIG. 7B depicts the RADAR sensor assembly portion of FIG. 7A from anopposite side;

FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of a RADAR sensor assemblyaccording to still other embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a cutaway, perspective view of the RADAR sensor assembly ofFIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of the zipper-like confinementstructure of the RADAR sensor assembly of FIG. 9 ; and

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the RADAR sensor assembly of FIGS. 8-10illustrating the dielectric chambers associated with the zipper-likesignal confinement structures of the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of apparatus, systems, and methods consistentwith various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided below.While several embodiments are described, it should be understood thatthe disclosure is not limited to any of the specific embodimentsdisclosed, but instead encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications,and equivalents. In addition, while numerous specific details are setforth in the following description in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, some embodiments canbe practiced without some or all of these details. Moreover, for thepurpose of clarity, certain technical material that is known in therelated art has not been described in detail in order to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the disclosure.

The embodiments of the disclosure may be best understood by reference tothe drawings, wherein like parts may be designated by like numerals. Itwill be readily understood that the components of the disclosedembodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figuresherein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following detailed description of theembodiments of the apparatus and methods of the disclosure is notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merelyrepresentative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In addition,the steps of a method do not necessarily need to be executed in anyspecific order, or even sequentially, nor need the steps be executedonly once, unless otherwise specified. Additional details regardingcertain preferred embodiments and implementations will now be describedin greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1-3B depict a waveguide/sensor assembly 100, such as a RADARsensor assembly for a vehicle, that defines, either in whole or in part,one or more waveguides therein and may comprise a portion of, forexample, an antenna assembly, which antenna assembly may comprise one ormore antennae.

Thus, as depicted in FIG. 1A, waveguide assembly 100 comprises a housingor body 105 comprising a plurality of waveguide grooves 120 extendingfrom a hub region 115. It should be understood that hub region 115 wouldtypically include various electrical components, such as electromagneticgeneration chips or other elements, that are not shown in the figures toavoid obscuring the disclosure. A suitable electromagnetic feed ortransition structure 118 to facilitate transitioning electromagneticwaves/signals to waveguide grooves 120 is shown positioned at a terminalend of each of the waveguide grooves 120.

Each of the various waveguide grooves 120 oscillates, at least in part,back and forth along an elongated axis. In the depicted embodiment, thisoscillation is provided by oscillating both opposing sidewalls thatdefine waveguide grooves 120 along at least a portion thereof. However,it is contemplated that, in alternative embodiments, only one of the twoopposing sidewalls may oscillate in this manner. It is also contemplatedthat, in still other embodiments, the sidewalls may meander/oscillateback and forth in a non-smooth manner, such as a stepwise manner and/orto define a square-wave pattern, if desired. In addition, although itmay be preferred to provide an oscillation pattern in which bothopposing sidewalls defining the waveguide groove oscillate together, orat least substantially together, as is the case with waveguide grooves120, it is also contemplated that, in other embodiments, the sidewallsmay oscillate separately and/or in a non-synchronized manner in otherembodiments.

Within each of the various waveguide grooves 120, an elongated slot 110is formed, which slot 110 may extend along the oscillating portion ofeach waveguide groove 120. In the depicted embodiment, each slot 110 iscentered within its respective groove. It should be understood that, inalternative embodiments, a plurality of posts may be arranged inopposing rows to define a waveguide groove therebetween, as discussed inconnection with later figures.

It should also be understood that any number of antennae may be providedand therefore any desired number of corresponding antennaestructures—such as a plurality of waveguides, grooves, etc. —may beprovided. However, some embodiments may comprise an array having asingle antenna and therefore only a single waveguide. As described ingreater detail elsewhere in this disclosure, the waveguides describedherein may be defined in a variety of ways and may curve about theblock/assembly as desired according to the space available. In addition,it should also be understood that the accompanying figures depict onlycertain elements and/or aspects of antenna assemblies and/or waveguidesand that, in order to properly function, other elements would typicallyneed to be provided in a complete assembly/module having otherfunctional elements that are not shown or described herein to avoidobscuring the disclosure.

In preferred embodiments, waveguide assembly 100 may comprise, at leastin part, a casting, such as a casting comprising a Zinc or othersuitable preferably metal material. However, in other contemplatedembodiments, such block may instead, or in addition, comprise a plasticor other material. In some such embodiments, metallic inserts, coatings,or the like may be used if desired. In typical sensor assemblies, which,as previously mentioned, may be configured specifically for use inconnection with vehicles, other structures may be combined with theblock/casting. For example, although the preferred embodiments disclosedherein comprise slots that are formed directly within the block,alternative embodiments are contemplated in which such slots may beformed in a separate layer, in some cases along with other layers and/orelements that are not depicted herein to avoid obscuring the disclosure,to form an antenna and/or sensor assembly/module.

In addition, although the amplitude of the oscillation of the waveguidegrooves 120 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is relatively constant, in otherembodiments this need not be the case. More particularly, in someembodiments, the amplitude of the oscillation in the pattern of one ormore of grooves 120 may increase towards a center of the pattern andthen taper in the opposite, decreasing direction towards the oppositeend. However, again, this may vary as needed according to thespecifications and prescribed uses for the waveguide and/or antennastructures described herein. Moreover, various other alternatives arecontemplated, such as providing a series of spaced slots for the antennaof each waveguide rather than a single slot 110 as shown in FIGS. 1A and1B. Similarly, such spaced slots may, but need not, oscillate.

As shown in FIG. 1B, each of the various slots 110 may open along side104 of assembly 100. As also shown in FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, oneor more of slots 110 may be positioned within a widened portion orgroove on the opposite side of waveguide grooves 120.

As also shown in FIG. 1B, and in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1C, insome embodiments, a slotted plate 106 may be provided in connection withsome of the antenna slots. More particularly, such slotted plates 106(although only one is shown in the depicted embodiment, it should beunderstood that multiple such plates may be used in other embodiments asneeded) may be particularly useful in connection with waveguide groovesand/or antenna slots that are relatively close to one another, as is thecase with the adjacent antenna slots 110A and 110B operably coupled withplate 106. These two slots 110A/110B are positioned in the same cavityand have a relatively thin wall separating them.

Slot 107 of plate 106 may be positioned at a central, or in asubstantially central in other contemplated embodiments, location inbetween slots 110A and 110B, as best seen in FIG. 1C. In the depictedembodiment, slot 107 is also misaligned with both slots and creates twonew slots on the opposite end (on opposite sides of the ridge along thecenter of slot 107, as shown in this same figure. Use of plate 106 mayallow for maximizing space on a board/assembly by bringing the effectiveantennas created by plate 106 and antenna slots 110A/110B closertogether while allowing their associated waveguides to be positionedfurther apart. This may also be useful to improve performance of theRADAR sensors of assembly 100. For example, by keeping the waveguidesfurther apart, more posts may be used on either side of the associatedwaveguides, which may provide for better field confinement.

To describe the purpose of slot 107 with more particularity, by placingslot 107 such that a ridge is positioned along the center, or at least acentral region, of the slot 107, two new, adjacent slots are created(one on each side of the ridge). These new slots created by slot 107 arecloser together than the slots 110A/110B on the opposite side of thestructure within respective waveguide grooves, as shown in FIG. 1C.Thus, slot 107 along with the adjacent thin wall/ridge creates two newslots.

Energy/EM waves from slot 110B may therefore make a leftward movementand exit from the new right slot created by slot 107 and the adjacentridge/wall (from the perspective of FIG. 1C) and, similarly, energy/EMwaves from slot 110A may make a rightward movement and exit from the newleft slot created by slot 107 and the adjacent ridge/wall. Effectively,slots 110A and 110B may thereby be brought closer to one another. Thismay allow the radiating slots, which are the slots formed by the housing105 and the plate 106, to be close to each other, while allowing thefeeding grooves/slots on the opposite side to be further apart.

Plate 106 may comprise, for example, a metal or other conductivematerial. However, it is thought that a non-conductive attachment may beused if designed appropriately. In some embodiments, plate 106 maycomprise a conductive tape or a non-conductive adhesion. Plate 106 maybe coupled to body 105 by, for example, use of conductive tape,conductive epoxy, soldering, welding, or the like.

As best seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3B, which is takenthrough one of the slots 110, each of the slots extends through theblock/casting of assembly 100 from side 102 to side 104 to allow fortransmission and/or receipt of electromagnetic waves therethrough. Insome embodiments, the assembly may further comprise a conductive layerthat may be used to form a “cap” of sorts on the plurality of waveguides120. In some such embodiments, a layer of conductive tape may be used tocouple a conductive layer, which may be part of a PCB layer, to theblock/waveguide layer of the assembly. This layer is shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3B on top of the upper surface of side 102.

FIGS. 4A-6B illustrate an alternative embodiment of a RADAR sensorassembly 400. Like assembly 100, assembly 400 comprises an antennaand/or waveguide block that defines, either in whole or in part, one ormore waveguides therein and a plurality of antennae. However, unlikewaveguide assembly 100, waveguide assembly 400 comprises a plurality ofwaveguide grooves 420 that are defined by opposing rows of posts ratherthan a trench-style waveguide. Although two spaced rows of posts arepositioned on each side of each waveguide 420 defined therebetween,other embodiments are contemplated in which a single row, or more thantwo rows, of such posts may be positioned on either side of one or moreof the waveguides 420.

In addition, each of the waveguide grooves 420 oscillates, at least inpart, back and forth along an elongated axis. In the depictedembodiment, this oscillation is provided by oscillating both opposingsets of posts that define waveguide grooves 420 along at least a portionthereof. However, it is contemplated that, in alternative embodiments,only one of the two opposing sets of posts may oscillate in this manner.It is also contemplated that, in still other embodiments, the posts maybe positioned to meander/oscillate back and forth in a non-smoothmanner, such as a stepwise manner and/or to define a square-wavepattern, if desired. In addition, although it may be preferred toprovide an oscillation pattern in which both opposing sets of postsdefining the waveguide groove oscillate together, or at leastsubstantially together, as is the case with waveguide grooves 420, it isalso contemplated that, in other embodiments, the posts on one side ofone or more of the waveguide grooves 420 may oscillate separately and/orin a non-synchronized manner in other embodiments. It is alsocontemplated that, whereas in the depicted embodiment the rows of postson either side of each waveguide groove 420 are aligned, in otherembodiments, these posts may be staggered relative to one another suchthat each post in one row is positioned adjacent to a space betweenadjacent posts in an adjacent row of posts.

As with assembly 100, an elongated slot 410 may be positioned withineach waveguide groove 420, each of which slots 410 may extend along theoscillating portion of each waveguide groove 420. In the depictedembodiment, each slot 410 is centered within its respective groove.However, as mentioned above, this need not be the case in allcontemplated embodiments.

Similarly, as with waveguide assembly 100, waveguide assembly 400comprises a housing or body 405 defining a hub region 415 from whicheach of the various waveguides may be extend and be coupled. Aspreviously mentioned, this hub region 415 would typically includevarious electrical components, such as electromagnetic generation chipsor other elements, that are not shown in the figures but, as those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate, would typically be present togenerate, receive, and/or process electromagnetic waves/signals. Asuitable electromagnetic feed structure 418 to facilitate transitioningelectromagnetic waves/signals to waveguide grooves 420 or anothersimilar EM-generating element may again be positioned at a terminal endof each of the waveguide grooves 420.

Each of the slots 410 again extends through the block/casting ofassembly 400 from side 402 to side 404 to allow for transmission and/orreceipt of electromagnetic waves therethrough. In addition, each of thevarious slots 410 may open along side 404 within a widened portion orgroove on the opposite side of the assembly with respect to waveguidegrooves 420.

As also shown in FIG. 4B, and as better shown in the cross-sectionalview of FIG. 4C, in some embodiments, a slotted plate 406 may beprovided in connection with some of the antenna slots. Moreparticularly, such slotted plates 406 may be particularly useful inconnection with waveguide grooves and/or antenna slots that arerelatively close to one another, as is the case with the adjacentantenna slots 410A and 410B operably coupled with plate 406. These twoslots 410A/410B are positioned in the same cavity and have a relativelythin wall separating them.

Slot 407 of plate 406 is positioned at an at least substantially centralposition in between slots 410A and 410B, as best seen in FIG. 4C and theridge along plate 406, which, as described above, may be configured tocreate two slots on either side of the ridge, may also be positionedcentrally, or at least substantially centrally along slot 407, asdescribed above. In the depicted embodiment, slot 407 is also misalignedwith both antenna slots 410A/410B but extends parallel to both antennaslots 410A/410B in between them. As previously mentioned, plate 406 mayallow for maximizing space on a board/assembly by bringing the effectiveantennas created by plate 406 and antenna slots 410A/410B closertogether while allowing their associated waveguides to be positionedfurther apart. This may also be useful to improve performance of theRADAR sensors of assembly 400. For example, by keeping the waveguidesfurther apart, more posts may be used on either side of the associatedwaveguides, which may provide for better field confinement. Again, plate406 may be coupled to body 405 by, for example, use of conductive tape,conductive epoxy, soldering, welding, or the like.

Still another example of an alternative embodiment of a RADAR sensorassembly 700 is depicted in FIGS. 7A-11 . FIGS. 7A and 7B depictopposing sides of a substrate layer 730 of assembly 700. Substrate 730may comprise one or more layers and/or functional elements that may beused to confine and/or prevent or at least reduce unwanted leakage ofelectromagnetic energy and/or signals within the various waveguides ofthe assembly. In some embodiments, substrate 730 may comprise a printedcircuit board that may comprise one or more metallic/conductive layerscoupled thereto. EM/signal confinement structures may be incorporatedinto substrate 730, preferably along both opposing sides of each of thewaveguide grooves 720, as best shown in FIG. 8 .

A first layer and/or surface of substrate/PCB 730 is shown in FIG. 7A,which depicts a pair of parallel resonant cavities or chambers 734,namely a first chamber 734A and a second chamber 734B, together whichextend along opposing sides of an adjacent waveguide groove 720, whichis formed in an adjacent layer of the assembly 700. Thus, chamber 734Ais configured to extend along and adjacent to a first side of anadjacent waveguide groove 720 and a second chamber 734B is configured toextend along and adjacent to a second side of the same waveguide groove720. Preferably, each of the waveguide grooves 720 in the assemblytherefore comprises chambers formed along each opposing side thereof toconfine signals within each of the waveguide grooves 720.

In the depicted embodiment, these chambers 734 extend parallel, or atleast substantially parallel, to each associated waveguide groove 720.However, this need not be the case for all contemplated embodiments.Although not shown in the figures, interconnecting chambers may beformed on the opposite ends of one or more of chambers 734 ifneeded/desired.

Chambers 734 may, in some preferred embodiments, comprise dielectricchambers. In other words, these chambers may be made up of a dielectricmaterial, such as, for example, a glass fiber reinforced (fiberglass)epoxy resin material or the like, a thermoplastic material, or a ceramicmaterial. In some contemplated embodiments, the dielectric chambers maybe empty and therefore may be occupied only by air.

FIG. 7B depicts the opposite side of substrate 730, the surface of whichmay comprise a metallic/conductive material and/or layer. It may beimportant for electrical contact to be provided for in this region ofassembly 700. However, in some embodiments described herein, a gap maybe maintained between the adjacent surface defining the waveguides 720and the PCB/substrate 730. To avoid or at least reduce signal leakage inthis region, one or more preferably metallic and/or electricallyconductive structures may be formed within the PCB/substrate layer 730.In the depicted embodiment, these confinement structures compriseperiodic structures operably coupled to the waveguide formed within theadjacent waveguide block that define a zipper-like shape within themetallic portion of the layer/region adjacent to the waveguides 720.

These zipper-like structures 735 are shown in FIG. 7B. Moreparticularly, a first zipper structure 735A is formed in a metallicportion and/or layer of substrate 730 and configured to be positionedadjacent to and extend along a first side of each of the waveguidegrooves 720 and a second zipper structure 735B is formed in the samemetallic portion and/or layer of substrate 730 and configured to bepositioned adjacent to and extend along a second side of each of thewaveguide grooves 720 opposite the first side.

As best seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 10 , these periodic structurescomprise an elongated opening or slot that preferably extends along aline that may run parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to theadjacent waveguide along one or more sides thereof. This structure maybe formed in a metallic/conductive layer or portion of the assembly thatis positioned immediately adjacent to the waveguide block within whichthe waveguide grooves 720 are formed. The zipper-like confinementstructures further comprise a first series of repeated slots 736 formedalong one side of each elongated opening of each zipper structure 735extending along the axis of each such zipper structure 735 and a secondseries of repeated slots 736 formed along the opposite side of each suchelongated, axial opening, both of which extend into and connect with theelongated opening that leads into the dielectric chamber. In thedepicted embodiment, these opposing slots 736 are aligned with oneanother.

Each of the aforementioned openings/slots of zipper structures 735A/735Bextends into a respective widened dielectric chamber 734A/734B, whichmay be formed at the side of substrate 730 opposite the metallic portionand/or layer of the assembly. In other words, the zipper structures maybe formed in a metallic coating of substrate/PCB 730 or, in othercontemplated embodiments, in a separate, metallic layer of the assemblywith respect to the dielectric chambers of the assembly or a singlelayer may be used and dielectric chambers may be formed within thislayer, if desired.

In preferred embodiments, the elongated slot or opening of each zipperstructure 735 may be centered, or at least substantially centered, withrespect to each respective chamber 734 and slots 736 may extendperpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, with respect tothe elongated slot/opening. These slots 736 may also extend onlypartially from each elongated slot/opening to the outer edges of theassociated chamber 734, as shown in the figures. As previouslymentioned, chamber 734 preferably comprises a dielectric material, suchas a typical material used to manufacture a PCB, such as FR4 material,for example. The outer edges of each chamber 734 may be defined bymetallic and/or conductive borders, which may either be continuous ormay be defined by a plurality of spaced conductors, such as vias, whichmay extend through opposing metallic/conductive layers/portions of theassembly.

Thus, in some embodiments, the opposing borders of one or more (in someembodiments, each) of the dielectric chambers 734 may extend the entirelength of chamber 734. In other words, the material on either side ofeach chamber 734 may be continuously metallic/conductive. However,again, other embodiments are contemplated in which these borders may bedefined by a series of vias or other spaced conductors, which may extendbetween opposing metallic/conductive layers of the assembly. It shouldbe understood that this ground/opposing conductive layer would typicallyform a lid or other boundary for chamber 734, such as layer 740 depictedin FIG. 8 . It should be understood that layer 740 may be a separatelayer of the assembly or may be a metallic coating or the like.

Waveguide/sensor assembly 700 may otherwise be similar to those in theprevious figures. Thus, waveguide assembly 700 comprises a housing orbody 705 defining a hub region 715 from which each of the variouswaveguides may be extend and be coupled. Similarly, a suitableelectromagnetic feed structure 718 to facilitate transitioningelectromagnetic waves/signals to waveguide grooves 720 may again bepositioned at a terminal end of each of the waveguide grooves 720 orotherwise configured to deliver and/or receive electromagneticwaves/signals, as those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate. Asalso previously described in greater detail, each of the waveguidegrooves comprises a portion that oscillates back and forth and furthercomprises an elongated antenna slot 710 positioned therein. In thedepicted embodiment, each of the signal confinement/zipper structuresoscillates in a similar manner to its associated waveguide groove 720,although this need not be the case in other contemplated embodiments.

It should be understood that whereas preferred embodiments may be usedin connection with vehicle sensors, such as vehicle RADAR modules or thelike, the principles disclosed herein may be used in a wide variety ofother contexts, such as other types of RADAR assemblies, including suchassemblies used in aviation, maritime, scientific applications,military, and electronic warfare. Other examples include point-to-pointwireless links, satellite communication antennas, other wirelesstechnologies, such as 5G wireless, and high-frequency test andscientific instrumentation. Thus, the principles disclosed herein may beapplied to any desired communication sub-system and/or high-performancesensing and/or imaging systems, including medical imaging, securityimaging and stand-off detection, automotive and airborne radar andenhanced passive radiometers for earth observation and climatemonitoring from space.

The foregoing specification has been described with reference to variousembodiments and implementations. However, one of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example,various operational steps, as well as components for carrying outoperational steps, may be implemented in various ways depending upon theparticular application or in consideration of any number of costfunctions associated with the operation of the system. Accordingly, anyone or more of the steps may be deleted, modified, or combined withother steps. Further, this disclosure is to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope thereof. Likewise,benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed above with regard to various embodiments. However, benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, arenot to be construed as a critical, a required, or an essential featureor element.

Those having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may bemade to the details of the above-described embodiments without departingfrom the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of thepresent inventions should, therefore, be determined only by thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vehicle sensor assembly, comprising: awaveguide block defining one or more waveguides, each waveguide of theone or more waveguides defined by a waveguide groove, wherein at least aportion of at least one waveguide groove is non-straight; and an antennastructure operably coupled with the one or more waveguides, wherein theantenna structure comprises an array of one or more slots, wherein asingle, elongated slot of the one or more slots extends along an axis ofeach waveguide groove of the one or more waveguides, and wherein each ofthe one or more slots is configured to deliver electromagnetic radiationfrom a corresponding waveguide of the one or more waveguidestherethrough.
 2. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein thewaveguide block defines a plurality of waveguides, wherein eachwaveguide of the plurality of waveguides is defined by a waveguidegroove, wherein the antenna structure comprises a plurality of elongatedslots, and wherein each elongated slot of the plurality of elongatedslots extends along an axis of a corresponding waveguide groove of theplurality of waveguides.
 3. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 2,wherein at least a portion of each of the waveguide grooves of theplurality of waveguides is non-straight.
 4. The vehicle sensor assemblyof claim 1, wherein the waveguide block integrally defines both each ofthe waveguide grooves of the one or more waveguides and each of the oneor more slots of the antenna structure.
 5. The vehicle sensor assemblyof claim 1, further comprising a substrate comprising one or more signalconfinement structures.
 6. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 5,wherein each of the one or more signal confinement structures isoperably coupled to a corresponding waveguide of the one or morewaveguides.
 7. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 6, wherein thesubstrate comprises two opposing signal confinement structures for eachwaveguide of the one or more waveguides.
 8. The vehicle sensor assemblyof claim 7, wherein each of the signal confinement structures comprisesa periodic structure positioned within a dielectric chamber.
 9. Thevehicle sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the one or morewaveguides comprises a waveguide groove defined by opposing rows ofposts.
 10. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein each of theone or more waveguides is defined by a waveguide groove that extendsback and forth in a periodic manner along the axis of its respectivewaveguide, at least in part.
 11. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim10, wherein each of the one or more slots extends at least substantiallystraight along an axis of its respective waveguide groove.
 12. A vehiclesensor assembly, comprising: a waveguide block comprising: one or morewaveguide grooves; and an antenna structure comprising an array of oneor more antenna slots configured to deliver electromagnetic radiationfrom the one or more waveguide grooves therethrough; and a substratecoupled with the waveguide block, wherein the substrate comprises aplurality of signal confinement structures.
 13. The vehicle sensorassembly of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of signalconfinement structures comprises a periodic feature.
 14. The vehiclesensor assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of signalconfinement structures comprises a zipper-like structure comprising: anelongated slot; and a plurality of spaced slots extending transverse tothe elongated slot.
 15. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 12, whereinthe waveguide block comprises a plurality of waveguide grooves, andwherein each of the plurality of waveguide grooves comprises a periodicfeature.
 16. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 15, wherein theperiodic feature comprises a periodic oscillation.
 17. A vehicle sensorassembly, comprising: one or more waveguide grooves defined by opposingrows of posts extending from a block, wherein at least a portion of atleast one waveguide groove of the one or more waveguide groovesoscillates; and one or more elongated antenna slots extending along anaxis of each waveguide groove of the one or more waveguide grooves,wherein each of the one or more elongated antenna slots is configured todeliver electromagnetic radiation from a corresponding waveguide groovetherethrough, and wherein each of the one or more elongated antennaslots is formed within and extends through the block defining the posts.18. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein each waveguidegroove of the one or more waveguide grooves has only a single, elongatedantenna slot extending along its respective axis.
 19. The vehicle sensorassembly of claim 18, wherein each of the single, elongated antennaslots extends along an axis of its respective waveguide groove withoutoscillating.
 20. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 17, furthercomprising a plurality of periodic signal confinement structures,wherein a first periodic signal confinement structure of the pluralityof periodic signal confinement structures extends adjacent to a firstside of an axis of a first waveguide groove of the one or more waveguidegrooves, and wherein a second periodic signal confinement structure ofthe plurality of periodic signal confinement structures extends along asecond side of the axis of the first waveguide groove of the one or morewaveguide grooves opposite the first side.